Black cancer of the apple tree: control measures, photos, treatment, what to do

Black cancer on an apple tree is one of the diseases that require close attention of any gardener. The success of tree treatment will depend on the timeliness of the measures taken.

The causative agent and causes of the appearance of black cancer on an apple tree

The synonymous name for the disease is fireweed. It is caused by the fungus Botryosphaeriaceae. It is he who infects fruit trees under certain conditions. Where the fungus accumulates, the color of the wood changes: it becomes like charred.

And although most often black cancer affects the apple tree, other trees can also suffer. The biggest danger of the disease is the speed of its spread. Spores can be carried around the garden plot with wind and precipitation.

Trees that have a weakened immune system, as well as old apple trees are at risk of black cancer.

The mechanism of spore penetration is simple: they enter through the damaged bark, and then remain there until favorable conditions occur. Most often, the first signs begin to appear with the onset of heat.

What does black cancer look like on an apple tree

It should be borne in mind that in the early stages it is almost impossible to recognize the fungus. To minimize the risks, you need to regularly pay attention to the apple tree, inspecting it for damage.

Before starting treatment for black cancer, you need to determine the disease. You can use photos, videos, experience of gardeners for this.

If the fungus entered the tree through the bark, then the culture could die within three years. The duration of the incubation period is 2-3 weeks. On examination, you can notice damage to the bark, which is surrounded by purple-brown spots, they gradually grow and change color to black.

Launched black cancer on an apple tree – these are deep dark dents on the trunk, exfoliation of the bark

You can also suspect the disease when examining the flowers: their color becomes brown, the petals are deformed and dry. A characteristic feature is the blackening of pistils and stamens.

Fruits black cancer strikes in a mature state. The incubation period lasts 6-9 days, after which dark spots appear on the skin of the fruit, prone to growth. Apples shrivel and gradually mummify.

The leaves, as the black cancer progresses, become covered with a red-brown speck, which gradually grows and changes its color to gray. Without treatment, the leaves dry out and die. A completely green mass falls off within two months if no measures are taken.

What can be confused with

It should be borne in mind that an apple tree can not only not be saved from black cancer, but also completely destroy it if the disease is incorrectly determined.

Important differences from similar infections:

1. Cystoporosis: gray spots on the bark that do not blacken with time.
   
   

   Outwardly, the trunk with cytosporosis seems to be worn out

2. Ordinary cancer.
   
   

   With ordinary cancer, bumps with dark red growths appear on the surface.

3. Moniliosis: the color of the fruit becomes black with a bluish tint.
   
   

   Moniliosis weakens the immune system, so often an apple tree is affected by several infections at once.

Is the disease dangerous for humans

Touching an affected tree does not harm a person. But it should be borne in mind that eating infected fruits is prohibited.

How and how to treat black cancer on an apple tree

If the fungus has struck a bole or skeletal branches, and the disease has developed to extreme stages, then such a tree cannot be saved. It should be uprooted and burned. In the early stages, an apple tree can be saved by applying several methods.

Algorithm of work:

1. Clearing the bark of signs of cancer.
2. Collection and destruction of affected foliage and fruits.
3. Disinfection of the cleaned trunk.
4. Prevention of the spread of the disease.

Fungicides for black apple cancer

Without chemicals, the treatment of this disease is impossible. The use of fungicides is one of the effective ways to destroy black cancer in apple trees and prevent an epidemic.

The crown of the tree must be completely treated in order to eliminate all spores of the fungus. Dig deep around the trunk should not be, so as not to damage the roots and not provide an opportunity for infection to penetrate into the trunk. It is enough to loosen the soil and spill it with a fungicide.

Effective remedies for black cancer – Bordeaux liquid, Fitosporin, Vitaros, Horus

Antibiotics for black apple cancer

The use of this group of drugs is widespread in Europe. Most often they are used for bacterial infections, but they are also effective for fungal infections.

The main drugs are streptomycin and tetracycline. To cure an apple tree from black cancer, it is enough to use any form of the drug in the spring: powder, solution or capsules.

One option for the destruction of the disease is spraying the trees with a solution of streptomycin. To do this, you need to combine 5 liters of water and 1 g of the substance. The second treatment is required in 15-20 days. If necessary, the treatment can be repeated several times.

According to European scientists, the toxic effect of antibiotics is lower than that of fungicides.

Injections into the trunk

During the growing season, it is possible to use stem inoculations with streptomycin. For this procedure, there is a certain algorithm of actions:

1. On the bark, where there are no cracks, you need to drill holes 2 cm deep. They should be located at a height of at least 1 m from the ground.
2. Pour a 4% streptomycin solution into the hole, and then plug it with a stopper.

The essence of the procedure is the introduction of a drug into the stem of a plant. It is able to penetrate 2 m up and 1 m down. Injections should be performed up to five times, observing an interval of seven days.

It is necessary to administer the medicine using a special device

Folk remedies

Opponents of chemicals are looking for ways to destroy black cancer on an apple tree using improvised methods. Step-by-step treatment consists in the regular use of folk remedies. The effectiveness of the procedure depends on the degree of progress of the disease.

Antiseptics can replace such products as laundry soap, fresh sorrel, washing powder. You need to dilute them with water, and then use them to clean the trunk from rot. You can also wash off the spores of fungi with a strong solution of manganese.

A common remedy for black cancer on an apple tree is a clay mash. To prepare it, the mass must be poured 2 cm above the layer, and then left to infuse for 2-3 hours. Periodically you need to stir the talker so that it turns out to be a homogeneous consistency.

In a bucket of clay, you need to add fresh mullein in a ratio of 1: 1. The result should be a product similar in density to sour cream.

With a finished talker, you need to process all the sections and wrap the wound with a cloth or bandage, and then re-impregnate with medicine. Throughout the season, the applied bandage must be moistened with water.

An alternative to rag bandages is a garden bandage

Instead of clay talker, you can prepare nigrol putty. To do this, mix the following ingredients:

• 140 g of nigrol;
• 40 g of wax;
• 60 g of ash.

The resulting product must be applied to the trunk cleaned from cancer. Periodically, the ointment must be reapplied until a new bark is formed.

Agrotechnical methods

To save an apple tree from black cancer, you should follow certain rules:

• pruning must be timely and competent;
• treat all wounds and cracks with garden pitch;
• if the plantings are thickened, they must be thinned out;
• balanced tree nutrition.

Only healthy and strong seedlings with a good root system, purchased from a trusted supplier, can be planted.

preventive measures

You can prevent the appearance of black cancer on an apple tree using the following actions:

1. When planting apple trees, a distance is required to prevent the spread of the fungus to other crops.
2. Proper preparation of the tree for winter: garbage collection, whitewashing the trunk.
3. Organization of drainage systems to prevent stagnation of moisture in the soil.
4. Only those varieties that are adapted to the local climate should be planted on the site. If you grow a tree in the wrong region, then it will be weakened, as it will direct all its forces to fight against environmental conditions.

Varieties of apple trees resistant to black cancer

Not only the observance of agricultural technology, but also the choice of a suitable seedling is the prevention of black cancer. There are no varieties that are absolutely resistant to the disease, but there are species whose immune system is quite strong:

• Among the summer ones are Alva and Papirovka;
• Autumn is Fridorm or Borovinka;
• Winter – this is Jonathan, Haralson; Bolotovskoe.

Most of all, varieties such as Anis scarlet, Memory Kovalenko, Champion, Wanda, Bananove, Antonovka can suffer from black cancer.

It should be borne in mind that even if the variety has suitable characteristics, then illiterate care and planting will be predisposing factors for the development of the disease. Young seedlings can also be affected, although most often signs of infection can be seen on older trees.

Conclusion

Black cancer on an apple tree is a serious disease that cannot be cured in advanced stages. The most effective way to save a tree from disease is to follow the rules of agricultural technology and grow fungus-resistant varieties. In the early stages of black cancer, it is recommended to apply several methods of treatment at once.